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First, some facts. Of the Finance graduates from James Madison University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 75%, Finance graduates from James Madison University have a higher likelihood (+8%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 27% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Finance graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 60% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPlanning Intern GEICO Jun 2013 - Aug 2013 Client Relationship Specialist  Vanguard Feb 2014 - Oct 2014 Small Business Retirement Sales Specialist Vanguard Oct 2014 - Sep 2015 Realtor  Allen Tate Realtors Aug 2015 - Mar 2017 Front of House Staff Sonoma Restaurant Group Inc Aug 2015 - Sep 2017 Air Package Delivery Driver UPS Apr 2017 - Feb 2018 Full-time Preload Supervisor UPS Feb 2018 - Aug 2018 Credit Analyst 1 Wells Fargo Aug 2018 - Aug 2019 Credit Analyst 2 Wells Fargo Aug 2019 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the job paths of graduates from James Madison University who pursued a degree in Finance, a clear trend emerges: many of them find themselves in roles that are quite relevant to their field. Positions like Financial Analyst, Credit Analyst, and various roles at banks and financial institutions showcase a strong application of the financial knowledge they've gained. Not surprisingly, many also work for major companies like Wells Fargo and Vanguard, where their educational background serves as a strong foundation for their responsibilities, usually involving financial analysis, budgeting, and strategic planning.
However, not every job aligns seamlessly with finance principles. There are instances where graduates ventured into roles such as realtors, IT analysts, and even some positions in marketing that focus more on general business skills than on finance. This suggests that while a Finance degree from JMU generally opens doors to relevant opportunities, some graduates might find themselves in jobs where the connection to finance is less direct. Overall, though, the majority of positions tend to leverage the skills and knowledge gained during their studies, making for a promising outlook for Finance graduates.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Finance graduates (this is across all Finance graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to James Madison University):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from James Madison University with a degree in Finance, it seems like many of them have successfully carved out careers that are quite relevant to their field. For recent grads, the first job often gets them right into the finance world, with roles like analysts at firms like Deloitte or Vanguard. It's pretty common to see them start in analytical or consultant roles, which is a solid foundation for growth in the finance sector. For example, graduates from the 2018 and 2019 classes have made strong moves at reputable companies like EY and Wells Fargo, either stepping up into higher analyst roles or managing clients directly.
Fast forward five or ten years later, we see a lot of these individuals climbing the ladder. Several graduates have moved on from initial analyst positions to become senior consultants or managers at well-known firms, handling more responsibilities and occasionally venturing into project management. Some have even shifted between industries, like a few moving from finance-related roles to areas like marketing strategy or IT analysis while still leveraging their finance background. However, it's worth noting that not every path seems to follow the straight and narrow into finance, with some alumni taking detours into sales or even freelance work. Overall, most graduates appear to be thriving with their Finance degrees, reflecting well on the program and the skill sets they gained at JMU.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at James Madison University—or really at most places—can be a bit of a mixed bag. It's not necessarily the easiest degree out there, but it's also not the most brutally tough either. You’ll be diving into subjects like financial accounting, investments, and market analysis, which can get pretty complex, especially if math isn’t your strong suit. That said, if you stay organized, keep up with your assignments, and engage in class, you should be able to handle it just fine. Overall, it's about average difficulty for a college degree, so if you're passionate about finance and willing to put in the work, you’ll likely find it manageable!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Finance.
Looking at these finance grads from JMU, it seems like a lot of them landed solid jobs that likely pay decently well, considering they’ve worked with big names like the Department of Defense, Deloitte, and Vanguard. The graduates have generally moved up through their roles, often stepping into analyst positions or management roles that usually come with better pay. Of course, starting salaries might not have been high right out of college, especially for some positions, but it looks like they've been progressing in their careers. Overall, they seem to be doing pretty well financially, especially if they'll keep climbing the ladder in companies known for good salaries and benefits.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Finance (this is across all Finance graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to James Madison University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Finance (ordered by the average relevance score of their Finance graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
